Rita, Sue & Bob Too at Theatre Royal St Helens Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Elaine Hatch

Last night I went to see Rita, Sue and Bob Too at St Helens Theatre Royal in Merseyside.

The theatre is located in St Helens Town Centre, with plenty of parking around the building. I travelled in by taxi and there is a drop off and pick up point right outside the front door. The theatre is about a 5–6-minute walk from St Helens Central train station and is just round the corner from the bus station, so using public transport to get to the theatre is easy.

It holds 700 people in the main theatre and is fully accessible via lifts to all floors and ramps with an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.

There are two bars, one on each floor, selling a good range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, all reasonably priced, and they were busy before the play started and during the 20-minute interval.

There are no café facilities at the theatre, but there is a sales point selling snacks, and crisps and nuts can be bought at the bar. We arrived about 40 minutes before the show and were able to relax with a drink before going into the theatre.

Because the theatre is a long-established venue in St Helens, and is housed in an old building, it does have a traditional theatre feel, with lovely old-style seating, which is more comfortable, and with more space and leg room, than some seats in more modern venues!!

All the staff we spoke to, at the entrance, at the box office and in the bars were absolutely lovely.

For theatre goers with additional needs, there is Digital Hearing Aid Enhancement in the Theatres, along with at least one signed and one audio described performance of shows for sight and audio impaired patrons respectively.

For some productions, they offer a relaxed performance, welcoming children with special needs (including Autistic Spectrum Conditions and/or learning disabilities) and, crucially, their families to the theatre to a performance.

So, what about Rita, Sue and Bob Too? Like many people there, I remember the film from 1987. It’s a story about two girls, living on a council estate in Bradford, (Rita and Sue) in their final year at school, who earn some extra cash by babysitting for Bob and his wife, Michelle, when they want a night out.

Written by Andrea Dunbar in the early 80’s, it is a story about the girls’ friendship with each other and their relationship with Bob, who gives them a lift home after babysitting, resulting in some shenanigans in his car for the three of them!

The story takes the audience through the ripple effects of Rita, Sue and Bob’s relationship with each other, and how the relationship affects the lives of others, and is expertly navigated by the cast members.

When I first saw this film in 1987, it was hilariously funny, and I’m pleased to say that this theatre production does the film proud – real laugh out loud moments, and some quite poignant moments too, particularly for Michelle, Bob’s long-suffering wife, and Rita and Sue’s home lives and family relationships.

It is important to remember that the script and dialogue is from a different era; times have definitely changed since the 80’s. You do find yourself thinking, at certain points and scenes in the play, how certain behaviours and attitudes would rarely be tolerated these days. But to me that’s the beauty of this show, and I’m glad the script hasn’t changed in that respect.

And, the language is, well……”fruity” to say the least – it’s not for the easily offended!

There is also a wonderful sound track with the production. Classic tunes from the 80’s such as Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Tainted Love by Soft Cell and Teenage Kicks by the Undertones, and so many more! The music in itself is a trip down memory lane for any who were lucky enough to be around and growing up in the 80s.

It was a great evening. The story kept the audience completely engaged, and laughing from start to finish.

It is actually really difficult to single out any one of the cast for particular praise – they were all brilliant. I think, if pushed, I would say Rita, played by Kay Nicholson would be my favourite character, so very funny and animated, wonderful to watch. However, as I say, I thought the whole cast were sterling, and this show is a real tonic! But – strictly Adults Only!!!

In summary – loved the venue, loved the cast, loved the story, loved the music, loved it all!!

Rating: 5/5

The play runs through to mid-April at different venues across the country.

Running 6th – 9th February 2025 at St Helens Theatre Royal 

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Ticket price at St Helens Theatre Royal (although prices may vary at other venues)

Adult £27.00 (+ £0.50 fees)
Concession £26.00 (+ £0.50 fees)

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Full address of the venue

St Helens Theatre Royal
Corporation Street
St Helens
WA10 1LQ

Box Office: 01744 756 000

For a full list of dates and venues, and links to each venue, click here www.britishtheatreguide.info